Bomb Attack Rocks Maiduguri Mosque

Another suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, Northeast Nigeria has left 18 persons dead and about 20 others injured on Friday morning.

A youth vigilante source, Modu Kyari, told our correspondent on phone that the lone suicide bomber mixed with worshippers for the early morning prayer at about 5:00 o'clock at Jiddari Polo area of the troubled town.

He said during the prayer, the suicide bomber detonated the explosive devices strapped on him, killing 18 persons and leaving 20 persons critically injured.

Kyari said the youth vigilante and emergency workers quickly moved to the mosque, which is behind the court in Jiddari Polo area of Maiduguri, to evacuate the corpses and assist the injured to the hospital.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the attack on Maiduguri mosque.

The agency's spokesman in Northeast, AbdulKadir Ibrahim in a text message to our correspondent, said: "There was a bomb blast at a mosque behind magistrate court in Polo area in Maiduguri, Borno state.

"Suicide bomber detonated the bomb during the early morning Subh prayer, six people were killed.

"Rescue officials have concluded search and rescue efforts while the injured have been taken to hospitals within Maiduguri."

Meanwhile, the people of Jiddari area as a result of the bomb at the mosque in the area, are now living in fear of another bomb incident.

A resident of the area, Solomon Emmanuel  said the fear was as a result of the believe that suicide bombers might have invaded the area.

He said three strange boys who are believe to be suicide bombers were seen on Thursday evening in the area.

He added that: "When some youth in the area mobilized to get them arrested they fled and what we witnessed today (Friday) was the explosion at the mosque which is believed to be by one of the boys.

"As the two are still at large not living out the fact that there could be more, they are believe to be on the prowl and everyone is afraid here. The youth vigilante are at red alert and the people have been sensitized to keep watch over the area."